How to Make Kayak Racks

Kayaks take up lots of space, and when they're on the floor they make it inconvenient to move around in your garage. Making your own kayak rack is an easy and inexpensive project that will get your kayak off the ground, out of the way and make room for other toys.

Measure the distance between your kayak's bulkheads. The stiffest part of a kayak's hull is where the bulkheads are attached, and this is where the kayak should rest while being stored. Failure to rest the kayak on or near the bulkheads could result in dents.

Step 2

Locate a stud on the wall where you want to rack the kayak, approximately the distance from the end of the boat to the first bulkhead. Mark the wall at the height you want to store the kayak. If you're storing the kayak high on the wall, leave enough room for the kayak to fit---usually between 24 and 30 inches. For an exact distance, measure the width of your kayak and add an inch.

Step 3

Measure down from the ceiling to your height mark. Find a stud approximately the distance between your kayak's bulkheads away from the mark you just made. Measure down from the ceiling to an equal height as the first mark and make a new mark in the center of the stud. The distance between these marks should be about equal to the distance between your bulkheads.

Step 4

Align the top of a 20-inch heavy duty shelf bracket with the first mark you made, and screw the bracket to the wall with deck screws. Repeat for the second bracket.

Step 5

Wrap the shelf bracket with pipe foam, cut it to size and tape it to the rack with carpet tape. Rack your kayak bottom to the wall and one side resting on the shelf bracket. The pipe foam will prevent your kayak from slipping.

Tips & Warnings

Look for a shelf bracket with three or more holes for screws.
Store two kayaks per rack by using longer shelf brackets.
Studs in garages are usually 16 inches on center away from each other.
An electric stud finder makes finding studs easy, but tapping lightly on the wall also works. As you tap along the wall, you'll hear either a hollow or a solid thump. The solid-sounding thump is your stud.

Look for a shelf bracket with three or more holes for screws.

Store two kayaks per rack by using longer shelf brackets.

Studs in garages are usually 16 inches on center away from each other.

An electric stud finder makes finding studs easy, but tapping lightly on the wall also works. As you tap along the wall, you'll hear either a hollow or a solid thump. The solid-sounding thump is your stud.

Lifting your kayak can cause injury. It's best to lift each end one at a time or have someone help you.

Article Written By Bryan Hansel

Bryan Hansel is a freelance photographer and kayaking guide who began writing in 1993. His outdoors articles appear on various websites. Hansel holds a Bachelor of Arts in English and religion from the University of Iowa.

Editor's Pick

Springtime brings a sense of new beginnings and new life as flowers begin to bloom and fill the air with their sweet and pleasant fragrance. Luckily we can see wildflowers all summer long, since spring hits at different times throughout North America. See flowering cactu...

Popular Article

Whether you are a novice hiker or have years of experience, your hiking boots are your most important piece of gear. They protect your feet from the terrain as well as keep you dry. Eventually, those nice, new boots are going to end up covered in mud.To prolong the life ...

Featured Article

Encountering a bear on the trails is a frightening experience. But bears generally avoid humans and usually attack when hunting for food or when they feel threatened or cornered. Remain calm and exercise extreme caution when encountering a bear. Fight back only as a last...